The alchemist.

Engraving, 34 x 45 cm, laid paper with watermark (fleur-de-lis), signed at upper left "Brueghel inve", publisher's adress at bottom left centre "T. GALLE EXCUD CUM PRIVILEGIO", signed at lower right text margin 'Ja. de Man" (several old repairs at lower left text margin, a few letters in text margin have been replaced in handwriting, dark stains, plate sl. worn, trimmed just outside border).

Stuck under passe-partout, under gilt frame (not studied outside frame).

A rare unrecorded 4th state of the famous print after a design by Bruegel and originally published by Hieronymus Cock (1558). It depicts the old alchemist who is so obsessed with making gold, that he neglects his starving and impoverished family. This unknown state includes four verses in French and Flemish, both in two columns. This state is a reworking of the last known 3rd state by the Antwerp engraver and publisher Jacobus I de Man (1643-1719), whose address is signed in the plate.
Ref. Lebeer 1991, no. 29. - Orenstein & Sellink 2001, no. 61. - New Hollstein (Philips Galle), 391.3.
Prov. Coll. Stamp (Lugt 3965).